Jesus is Baptized by John the Baptist

["Click here for Matthew's account"]
["Click here for Mark's account"]
["Click here for Luke's account"]

Matthew has the most complete account of this event. Mark leaves out the hesitancy of John to baptize Jesus and Luke just mentions that John baptized Jesus along with many others.
The first thing that strikes our attention is that now that the "fullness of time" had come, and Jesus is ready to start His ministry, He chooses not to do so at Jerusalem as you might think, but at the River Jordan where John was "preparing the way" for Him. Note that His first act was one of humility. This was foremost in His life. This was foremost in His teachings.
Notice the reluctance of John to baptize Jesus. This is reminiscent of Peter when Jesus tried to wash his feet. John did not feel qualified to baptize Jesus but rather, felt the need to have Jesus to baptize him, even though he was filled with the Holy Spirit sense his conception. Here John humbles himself before this man called Jesus in front of his followers who were devoted to him and were probably ready to accept him as the Messiah.
Why did Jesus insist that John baptize Him?

John's baptism had acquired a name that was symbolic with re-birth. It was associated with "breaking away" from the "going through the motions" kind of religion to the "true religion" of the heart.
Up to this time, God was speaking to the people through John the Baptist, this Jesus described as "fulfilling all righteousness". Thus He was telling us, by His actions, that it is good to partake and encourage all that is ordained of God.

So John baptized Jesus. Note: There is a difference in the way people use "humility". We can be humble and still do all that God calls us to do, regardless of how important the job my be. Some people use humility as an excuse for not doing something that they are asked to do.
Notice verse 16. After Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately out of the water. Normally after baptism the people stayed in the water and confessed sins and repented and phrased God. Jesus had no need of this.
After Jesus was baptized, "the heavens opened up and the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove." What did it mean, "the heavens opened up". It is believed that this terminology was used to signify the releasing or the coming out of the Spirit of God. Probably only Jesus experienced this "opening up" of the heavens, but certainly all present must have witnessed the descending of the dove. This act of God accomplished two things:

It gave encouragement to Jesus with what was a symbol of God's approval.
It indicated that man's sin had closed heaven but Jesus' coming had opened it.

Why do you suppose a dove was used as a symbol of the Spirit of God? Some earthly form had to be used to convey the message for man's benefit. Here, again, was God speaking in a way that can best be understood by those to whom He was speaking. So what did the dove mean to the Israelite? You may recall that Mary used two doves as sacrifices in her purification rites 40 days after Christ's birth at the Temple.
Some suggested reasons for the use of a dove:

The dove is a harmless and inoffensive creature.
Doves are known to mourn the loss of one of their number.
The Dove brought Noah the answer that the flood had resided.
"The wings of a dove" is scriptural as well as melodious.
The dove has always represented peace.

"Then came a voice out of heaven." The Holy Spirit manifested Himself as a dove but God manifested Himself as a voice saying, "This is my beloved Son." Signifying and establishing without a doubt, the Sonship of Christ and the affection of the Father. Out of Christ, God is a consuming fire, but in Christ, God is a reconciling Father. This is the sum of the whole Gospel. We must, by faith, accept Christ as our beloved Savior in whom we are well pleased.

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